If there's any question whether the city of Russellville is growing, look no further than Thursday night's city council meeting.

Public Works Director Morgan Barrett and City Planner Jim von Tungeln both pointed out the old and new business items on Thursday night's agenda at City Hall, with all but a few items dedicated to zoning, changing zoning, planning boundaries or issuing special-use permits.

"All of these things you've voted on or seen tonight is a fraction of questions and issues that come before the Planning Commission or Community Development," Public Works Director Morgan Barrett said. "This is busy, and this is healthy for a city. It's a very good thing."

von Tungeln agreed, adding he has seen great improvements in commercial and economic development.

Aldermen conducted third readings on an ordinance amending the zoning code and establishing regulations for metal buildings in commercial and residential districts, and another ordinance pertaining to review of land subdivision codes regulating the maintenance of property. An ordinance to establish the city's planning area boundary was also read for the third time.

Following the readings by title only with a short description, after motions were made and approved to suspend the rules, the ordinances were adopted. Additional ordinances or resolutions adopted Thursday night in similar fashion, that dealt with the city's growth or development:

* Amended the city's Zoning Ordinance to establish procedures for rezoning of property.

* Closed the 400 block of West Third Street between South El Paso and South Glenwood; Barrett said a utility easement resolution had been reached. No one attended a public hearing on the closing.

* Approved a special use permit to operate a shop for service and repair of motorcycles and sell after-market parts and accessories in a C-2 (commercial) zone at 107 Reasoner Lane.

* Rezoned property presently R-1 (residential) to R-2S for construction of single-family homes at East Gum Street; Barrett said it posed a unique situation because Pope County owned half the roadway, but he nor von Tungeln foresaw any problems. No one attended a public hearing on the rezoning.

* Rezoned property presently R-1 to C-2 at 2304 E. J St.; rezoned property presently R-1 to C-2 at 2310 E. J St.; and rezoned property presently R-1 to C-2 at 2310 E. J St. and resolved a right-of-way issue. von Tungeln said a property owner had requested to him the items be made separately on the records, although one public hearing and vote was held on the three items.

* Rezoned property presently R-1 to C-2 at 3901 and 3903 W. Main; no one attended a public hearing on the rezoning.

* Set a public hearing for Nov. 16 to vacate an alley running east-west along Lots 4 and 5, Block 10, and an alley running North-South between said Lots 4 and 5 being contiguous to said Lots 4 and 5, Block 10, SouthLawn Heights Addition to the City of Russellville, being outside of the street right-of-way for the proposed West 16th Street.

Vacancies filled

The council voted to fill vacancies in District Court, and at the Police Department. Outgoing Chief James Bacon was greeted wtih a standing ovation when he was presented a gift by Mayor Raye Turner and thanked the council and department heads for their assistance during his two-year tenure in Russellville. Bacon announced his resignation Oct. 3 to become the police chief in Nixa, Mo.

The council will address an ordinance next month pertaining to where heavy trucks can travel in the city limits. Barrett told the council the best route for heavy vehicles from local businesses was the new extension of Fourth Street, Fairway Boulevard, as well as Jimmy Lyle Road.

Those were the two roadways designated as alternative truck routes on a map give to aldermen. The problem arose during last month's meeting when it was pointed out there isn't a route south of the railroad tracks to go from east to west through town.

Dr. James Carter and Lesdene Ketcherside told the council about the River Valley Christian Clinic open Thursday nights in Dardanelle.

"We don't want to walk; we want to fly," Ketcherside said about the clinic that provides health care and spiritual guidance to anyone who cannot afford to access traditional health care. "What can you do to help us? If all you can give us is a cup of water, that is all we need."

Recommended by the Personnel Committee and approved by the council were items including putting off an ordinance to amend the personnel handbook to provide a sick-leave policy for the fire department; and approving an amendment to Ordinance 1855 amending personnel policy manual and procedures, salary plan policy and procedures; and approving an amendment to the personnel policy manual for certificate pay realignment for police.

Also approved was an ordinance authorizing a first supplemental agreement between the city and Pope County regarding the Intermodal Facilities Authority for the purpose of extending length of service by board members.